The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1887-09-22
GOLDEN NEEDING
OF Rev. and Mrs. Rothrock. of Gold Hill,
Rowan County. N O.

| Rowan County, N. o.
The Salisbury papers, and in fact num-
Der of our neighboring exchanges speak in
glowing terms of the Golden Wedding
celebration of Rev. and Mrs. Rothrock,
| which took place on the 18th inst at their
home at Gold Hill, Rowan county, and at
tended by large concourse of relatives and
friends from different parts of the State. The
occasion was delightful one for all partici-
| ipants. Mr.. Rothrock has several relati ,es
in this and adjoining counties-one among
| the number being a sister-the wife of Maj
! II. X. Thomas, of Winston, who celebrated
similar event eleven years ago and who
| Is yet experiencing remarkably good
! health, though eighty-;odd years of age.
Golden wedding" celebrations are quite
rare, especially like the one celebrated by
/ Mr.. and Mrs. Rothrock--the latter being
the second wife Of the aged divine His first
wife died about two years after marriage.
A writer speaks of the aged couple and the
event as follows, which wall no doubt prove
interesting to THE SENTINEL's many read
ers in city, county and State The writer
says:
"Rev. Samuel Rothrock, or Father Ro-
throck,' as he is lovingly and Familiarity call
ed by minister and laymen who know him,
was born in Rowan county. He spent near
ly all his life in his native State, North Car
DINA, and expects to die in it, and rest in its
soil till the resurrection morn. Considering
his old age, heis remarkably well presel we'd,
but the last two years decided change has
come over him, and his strength is waning.
Eni E al
popular, and is loved and revered by old
and young. For % long years he has been
faithful Lutheran minister, and until two
years ago was always in charge of some
church. He has held many prominent DO
sitions of honor and trust in the Lutheran
Church, and when student, walked all the
way from his North Carolina home to Gettys-
burg, Pa, where the oldest Lutheran College
in the country is located. This simple Incl
dent shows the makeup Of this noble son of
North Carolina. Another remarkable fact
in the history of the noted old gentleman is
it is said, that he has performed the mar
rlage ceremony for more people than any
other man in the State. In some instances
he has united in marriage the father and
mother, baptized and confirmed their chill
dren, married them then baptized and con.
frmed the grand children, and the baptisms
he has administered to the great-grand chill
dren of the first couple he married are innu-
merable
Mrs. Rothrock bears the marks of age
more than her husband. Her hair has turn
ed quite white. OF all the children born in
in their family only one-Professor Louis
Rothrock, once County Superintendent and
for many years Professor in the Lutheran
college at Mt. Pleasant-was present, all the
rest being dead. The following program of
the wedding festivities wrs carried out:
l. Singing by all present. 2. Announc-
ing the object of the gathering and giving a
condensed sketch of the marriage and the
officiating minister, of the time and place of |
marriage, ETC.. fifty years ago. g. Scripture
lessons or selections Of Gods promises of long !
life to His children. 4. Thanksgiving pray |
er for mercies bestowed and long life given. |
8. Address of congratulations, etc, and Col |
den Wedding ceremony. 6. Reading of |
charming little poem, written especially |
for the occasion by hev. DR.. Swartz pastor |
Of ST. James Evangelical Lutheran Church,
Gettysburg, Pa
Mr.. and Mrs. Rothrock were the recipi- |
ents of many presents, inclu- ing large
number of gold dollars. Among the presents |
also, was pass for the aged couple, on the |
Carolina Central road between Wilmington !,
and Charlotte, and an offer of free hotel ac- |
commodations at the Central, in the latter |
city. For the aged but highly esteemed
couple, The SENTINELs hopes that many
bright and happy years may yet be spared |